Sports

India’s Bowling Lineup Seen as Biggest Test Ahead of New Zealand ODIs

By Hijam Raju Singh

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has said the most inexperienced bowling attack will be the biggest challenge for the team in the five‑match ODI series against New Zealand that starts on November 4. With Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya unavailable, the side will rely on a relatively inexperienced group of pacers led by Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh. Gambhir believes that if India succeed in the ODI series, the credit should go mainly to the bowlers rather than the more experienced batting unit.

The concern is amplified by the fact that India must balance preparations for the white‑ball matches with a two‑Test series scheduled later in the tour. “It’s important for me to win every series. It’s challenging to win every series. Because if you look at it, this will probably be the most inexperienced bowling attack in ODI cricket,” Gambhir said.

Siraj has played 51 ODIs and is the most experienced pacer in the group. Arshdeep has 18, while Aqib Nabi and Anshul Kamboj have one ODI each, and Gurnoor Brar has nine.

Gambhir also praised the improvement of opener Abhishek Sharma against New Zealand off‑spinner Michael Bracewell during the five‑match T20I series. Sharma had struggled against off‑spin earlier but worked on the area during extended net sessions with the coach.

Reflecting on India’s 3‑2 T20I series win, Gambhir highlighted the limited preparation time the team had. India arrived on October 20, practiced on October 21, and then faced a quality side in unfamiliar conditions. “They arrived on the 20th, we practiced on the 21st… different conditions, different weather, different dimensions, playing against a quality side like New Zealand in their own backyard with the amount of experience they had in T20 cricket, plus most of the boys were touring New Zealand for the first time,” he said.

He noted that 70‑80 % of the T20I players were visiting New Zealand for the first time and that the ODI and Test players would have more time to prepare. “If this tour is difficult for anyone, then it’s for the T20 side because our Test team will get time to prepare. Our one‑day players will get time to prepare. But these players didn’t have any time,” Gambhir added.

The coach concluded that the T20I side’s performance was an achievement that deserves recognition, especially given the pressure and ruthlessness required to succeed in such conditions.